Rising to the Occasion
Jameson Mohammadi of Rise4 puts the person in personal training.
There’s a vulnerability at play when one shops for a personal trainer, which makes the whole affair a tricky business. A trainer is someone you’ve got to hang out with on a regular basis, so you have to like them. At the same time, they’re someone who holds you accountable for your progress—and it’s hard to like a person if they seem like they’re on your case. That’s why Jameson Mohammadi, a personal trainer at Rise4, is all about tailoring his services to the individual needs of his clients.
“Creating a safe space where we can get to the outcomes together is the culmination of all the work that I’ve done,” Mohammadi said.
After studying exercise and nutrition science at the University of Utah, Mohammadi knew that helping others reach their fitness goals was going to be a big part of his life.
“As opposed to going into medicine, I wanted to help prevent people from going to the hospital in the first place,” he stressed.
He’s been a trainer for the last seven years and his presence on this year’s Best of Utah speaks highly of his abilities. Mohammadi attributes his commitment to helping others to the modern uphill battle that people have to endure in order to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
“At present, we seem a little too heavily pathologized toward anxiety,” he observed. “We’re experiencing things as humans that don’t seem to be very sustainable; things like crippling depression and non-communicable diseases like cardiovascular disease, obesity and diabetes.”
As the deck can often feel stacked against those who want to make big lifestyle changes—yet remain mired in the incessant mediocrity foisted upon them—Mohammadi makes sure he is part of the solution.
“The first thing I think of is levers like getting a specific amount of sleep or eating a certain diet,” he noted. “When I have something out of place in my life, I usually know it’s tied to one of these levers of getting proper sleep or checking in with my community.”
His solution is to help his clients find those “levers” and help give them a little pull if necessary. “If somebody came to me and said ‘I’m really struggling with my mental health’, my first question would be to take a look at those levers together,” Mohammadi said. “Human health is very simple, but it’s also very complex.”
In order to help discover what levers he and his clients need to focus on, Mohammadi likes to meet all of his clients at ground zero.
“What I’ve learned over the years is that the best chance of me helping another human being is by creating a safe space for them and meeting them exactly where they are,” he remarked. “Once you are in that safe space and you are gifted with a person across from you, all of a sudden they can trust your expertise and everything I’m asking is going to get us right to the outcome we are searching for.”
From there, Mohammadi likes to remain a resource for his clients. His own passion for health and wellness continues to be a factor in his vocation, and he’s constantly honing his craft.
Jameson Mohammadi- Courtesy photo
“The reason I came into this is because I am disgustingly passionate about it,” he said. “In my free time, this is the subject matter that I’m reading—I’m reading about running mechanics and how we should be eating and how we should be moving.”
Between Mohammadi’s individual enthusiasm for what he does and his ability to find the connection between his clients’ physical and mental health, he’s the type of personal trainer worthy of Best of Utah.
Best Acroyoga Classes
1. Awaken Studios and Retreats
2. Kairos Fitness
3. Salt Lake City Circus Center
Best Aerial Silks Classes
1. Awaken Studios and Retreats
2. Kairos Fitness
3. Onyx Pole and Aerial Fitness Studio
Best Barre Fitness Studio
1. The Bar Method Salt Lake City
2. PEAK|45 Lagree
3. Barre3
Best Beginner Yoga Classes
1. CorePower Yoga
2. Salt Lake Power Yoga
3. Bikram Yoga
Best Bootcamp
1. Rise4
2. Barry’s Salt Lake City
3. Fit to Recover
Best Boutique Fitness Studio
1. Seek Studio
2. The Backline SLC
3. Awaken Studios and Retreats
Best Boxing Club
1. Brickyard Boxing & Conditioning
2. Rebel House
3. Rumble Boxing
Best Circuit Training
1. Rise4
2. Brickyard Boxing & Conditioning
3. Seek Studio
Best Community Swimming Pool
1. Steiner Aquatic Center
2. Cottonwood Heights Recreation Center
3. Murray Aquatic Center
Best CrossFit Gym
1. Salt Lake City CrossFit
2. CrossFit The Point
3. Ute CrossFit
Best Dance Classes
1. Ebb & Flow
2. Repertory Dance Theatre
3. Riot Dance Fitness
Best Fitness Influencer (Social Media)
1. Dillion Chase – SL Power Yoga
2. Juna Marz – BlackBox Pilates Co.
3. Joey Alatorre – PEAK|45
Best Fitness Pop-Up
1. State Of Mind Summer Yoga at the Capitol – Salt Lake Power Yoga
2. Sugar Alley Outdoor Pool Rooftop Ride – Torrent Cycle
3. Lagree on the Utah Jazz Court – PEAK|45
Best Fitness Studio: All Categories
1. The Backline SLC
2. Torrent Cycle
3. Awaken Studios and Retreats
Best Fitness/Aerobics Class Instructor
1. Dillion Chase – Salt Lake Power Yoga
2. Alison Dorenbosch – PEAK|45
3. Dan Cooney – Torrent Cycle
Best Gymnastics Training (Adults)
1. Kairos Fitness
2. Gymnastics Training Center
3. Salt Lake City Circus Center
Best Gymnastics Training (Kids)
1. The Little Gym
2. Salt Lake City Circus Center
3. Gymnastics Training Center
Best High-Intensity Interval Training
1. Rise4
2. Torrent Cycle
3. Rebel House
Best Hot Yoga
1. Salt Lake Power Yoga
2. Bikram Yoga SLC
3. CorePower Yoga
Best Kickboxing
1. Brickyard Boxing & Conditioning
2. SLC Muay Thai
3. Rumble Boxing
Best Kids’ Fitness Programs
1. Gracie Barra Sandy Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
2. Brickyard Boxing & Conditioning
3. Awaken Studios and Retreats
Best Martial Arts Instructor
1. Duayne Bowers – Gracie Barra Sandy Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
2. Alexis Whitney – SLC Muay Thai
3. Kelli Alvarez – Brickyard Boxing & Conditioning
Best Martial Arts School
1. Gracie Barra Sandy Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
2. SLC Muay Thai
3. Aikido Of Salt Lake
Best Personal Trainer
1. Jameson Mohammadi – Rise4
2. Lya Wodraska – The Backline SLC
3. Joey Alatorre – PEAK|45
Best Pilates Studio
1. PEAK|45
2. The Point Pilates
3. Salt Lake Lagree
Best Pole Fitness Studio
1. Kairos Fitness
2. Onyx Pole and Aerial Fitness Studio
3. The Salt Mine SLC
Best Privately Owned Gym
1. The Backline SLC
2. PEAK|45
3. Seek Studio
Best Public Rec Center
1. Cottonwood Heights Recreation Center
2. Salt Lake City Sports Complex
3. Dimple Dell Recreation Center
Best Qigong Instruction
1. Scott White
2. Toni Lock
3. Rachel Silverstone
Best Rock-Climbing Wall
1. Momentum Indoor Climbing Millcreek
2. The Front Climbing Club
3. Bouldering Project
Best Senior Fitness Programs
1. Age Performance
2. The Backline SLC
3. Brickyard Boxing & Conditioning
Best Ski/Snowboard School
1. Brighton Resort
2. Snowbird
3. Alta Ski Area
Best Spin Classes
1. Torrent Cycle Sugarhouse
2. Rebel House
3. Seek Studio
Best Tai Chi Instruction
1. Toni Lock
2. Monk Wise Academy
Best Trampoline Park
1. Airborne Trampoline Park
2. KTR Midvale
Best Virtual Fitness Programs
1. Salt Lake Power Yoga
2. Jenna Hansen – Awaken Studios and Retreats
3. Denise Druce
Best Weight-Training Instruction
1. Torrent Cycle
2. The Backline SLC
3. Rise4
Best Yoga Instructor
1. Kevin Carrington – Awaken Studios and Retreats
2. Dillion Chase – Salt Lake Power Yoga
3. Hailey Quinn – CorePower Yoga
Best Yoga Studio
1. Salt Lake Power Yoga
2. CorePower Yoga
3. Seek Studio
Best Yoga Teacher Training
1. Salt Lake Power Yoga
2. Yoga Assets – Yoga Teacher Training
3. Awaken Studios and Retreats
Muscle and Flow
Unpacking the ancient art of qigong with Scott White.
Scott White- Courtesy photo
When it comes to physical activity, images of crowded gyms and dingy rec centers are what usually pop up in our minds. While there’s nothing wrong with hitting the gym, the proliferation of “gym bro” culture and fitness influencers have a way of walling things off from those who are just there for their health. Those looking for a way to get physical in an environment completely devoid of treadmills and stairmasters may want to take a closer look at qigong.
Pronounced “chi-gong,” qigong is a combination of physical and mental activities that have been practiced in China for thousands of years. Like tai chi, it involves the use of intentional, focused movement to improve strength and balance. Whereas tai chi focuses on a series of deliberate physical forms, qigong is more about repeated breathing, posture and meditative actions for the purpose of achieving equilibrium in the body.
Through his classes at Qigong and Tai Chi Utah (qigongutah.com), Scott White is one of the Beehive State’s current champs when it comes to both of these practices. It is here that those unfamiliar with qigong can get a taste for the very first time.
As qigong itself has a wide variety of nuances within its practice, clients can attend one of White’s classes and learn which type of qigong works best for them. Traditionally, qigong is a better fit for those looking for something more beginner-friendly, and White will cater to those needs.
Fitness Through Fighting
Which way of the fist is the right way for you?
SLC Mui Thai- Courtesy photo
If you’re in the market for a good workout that will also give you the ability to defend yourself, martial arts just might be the ticket. Martial arts training provides a degree of self-confidence and discipline that one won’t get from a weekly spin class. From Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu to Brickyard Boxing & Conditioning, Utah is a great place to pick out the martial arts class that is right for you.
Those wanting to commit to a high-intensity full body workout may consider taking a muay thai class at SLC Muay Thai in South Salt Lake (slcmuaythai.com). Known as the “art of eight limbs”—and not to be confused with Mai Tais—muay thai is a martial arts discipline that originated in Thailand. It’s among the most hardcore martial arts to take up since it relies on core strength combined with heavy cardio and strength conditioning. Those who are already pretty active and looking for a new challenge will be right at home learning muay thai.
Brazilian jiu-jitsu like that offered at Gracie Barra is ideal for those who are after a mental workout along with a physical one. Practicing jiu-jitsu is a great way to increase cardio resilience and increase strength, but its sparring component is more aligned with mental strategy and quick thinking.
Boxing and kickboxing are also excellent entry-level options for those looking for a workout designed to increase strength and promote balance. Brickyard Boxing & Conditioning (brickyardboxing.com) is one of Utah’s most popular gyms for those interested in this particular style of martial arts. If you’re looking for a martial arts program that is accessible and effective, boxing is a great place to start.
